Alpha Alpha Alpha Honor Society (Tri-Alpha) is an American honor society for first-generation college students. It was formed in 2018 at Moravian College in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.
Alpha Alpha Alpha (Tri-Alpha) was an initiative of Carol Traupman-Carr, the associate provost of Moravian College (now Moravian University) in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.[1][2] It was established with the initiation of more than 100 members on March 24, 2018.[3][4][5][6] Tri-Alpha was created as an honor society for first-generation college students.[7][8]
Later, the honor society was incorporated as a (501)(c)(3) nonprofit corporation to expand to other colleges and universities.[4][5] Tri-Alpha recognizes the academic achievements of first-generation colleges students, creates a support network for those students, promotes leadership, and encourages enthusiasm for academics.[7][9][10] Initially, it expanded to small liberal arts colleges.[11] By April 2021, it has chartered 89 chapters.[11]
As of 2024, Alpha Alpha Alpha has chartered 287 chapters in the United States.[12] Its headquarters are in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.[13]
Symbols
Alpha Alpha Alpha's emblem is an organizational pin.[4][14] The pin features Tri-Alpha's logo, which includes a star in the center of several circles.[15] The star symbolizes the inductees, who are "beacons of light for others to follow".[15] The circles represent its member'svarious communities—the university community, their home community, and the wider world.[15]
Tri-Alphas colors and honor cord are blue and grey/silver.[16][14]
Membership
Membership is by invitation and is open to undergraduate students, graduate students, faculty, and staff whose parents or guardians did not complete a bachelor's degree.[17][18][9] Eligible undergraduates must have complete thirty hours with a 3.2 GPA, and graduate students must have finished nine hours with a 3.5 GPA.[17][18][7][9] Faculty are eligible if they meet the criteria as a first-generation student when they completed their undergraduate degree.[17][3] Tri-Alpha also initiates a small number of honorary and alumni members each year.[4][5] Once initiated, membership is for life.[19][7][3]
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